Summary: Louisiana Politics: New Olreans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is signing an executive order today creating a Tax Fairness Commision; Penny Dastugue of Mandeville was sworn in as BESE President; Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined DG Foods and others, to announce that DG Foods will establish a new poultry and meat processing facility in Bastrop, La.; The Democrats in the US House have rebuked President Obama's tax deal with the Republicans; US Senator David Vitter responds to the Senate Dream Act vote.

Tax Fairness Commission

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will sign an executive order establishing the Tax Fairness Commission. The Commission will be tasked with reviewing existing policies and recommending policy changes that create a more equitable and fair system of taxation for the City of New Orleans.

BESE

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is under new leadership, after officers took their oaths of office during today's December board meeting.

Penny Dastugue of Mandeville was sworn in as BESE President. Dastugue was elected to BESE in 2003, but did not run for re-election in 2007. However, she was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal in 2008 as one of three at-large members. Dastugue chairs BESE's Finance Committee and also serves on the State-Authorized Oversight Committee

DREAM ACT

Last night, the House of Representatives voted 216 to 198 to pass the DREAM Act, a bill to give certain undocumented immigrant youth, brought to the United States as children. Supporters say it is the chance to earn legal status after completing two years of college or military service. This morning, the Senate voted to table its own version of the DREAM Act.

Here is a tweet Sen. David Vitter

“Voted to kill Senate #DREAMAct, but we can't let down our guard. @SenatorReid could still bring House version for vote before Christmas.”

Jindal And DG Foods

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined DG Foods, LLC CEO Duffy McKenzie, Bastrop Mayor Betty Olive and Morehouse Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Kay King to announce that DG Foods will establish a new poultry and meat processing facility in Bastrop, La. This project will represent a capital investment of $9.7 million and create 317 new, direct jobs. The Louisiana Department of Economic Develop estimates that the 317 new, direct jobs will result in approximately 936 new, indirect jobs and will generate over $13.4 million in new, state tax revenue and $2.9 million in new, local tax revenue over the next seven years.

Governor Jindal said, “This new DG Foods processing plant is great news for Bastrop and North Louisiana. When International Paper closed its Bastrop mill in 2008, we made a promise to work with this community and its leaders to develop and execute a long-term economic recovery and diversification plan. We talked about making Bastrop even stronger than before – and we have been working very closely with local leaders since that point to realize that vision. Today is a big step in the right direction for Bastrop, but our work is not done and we will continue to work aggressively to pursue more job opportunities for the people of this community.”

Democrats Rebuke Obama on Tax Deal

House Democrats rebuked Obama’s tax deal with Republicans today by voting on a resolution to reject the tax provision as written.

“In the caucus Thursday, House Democrats supported a resolution to reject the Senate Republican tax provisions as currently written,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “We will continue discussions with the president and our Democratic and Republican colleagues in the days ahead to improve the proposal before it comes to the House floor for a vote.”

Watch Bernie Pinsonat discuss current poll numbers, the US Senate race, Congressional races, upcoming Louisiana legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards' popularity, favorables of other elected officials, future political races such as Treasurer, Attorney General and more topics.